Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Vertex” or the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company operates in one segment, pharmaceuticals. The Company has reclassified certain items from the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K”) have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are contained in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards

Income Taxes

In 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2019-12”), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 became effective on January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.